The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-06-16

AZ no 1AAkO d 1lail IL hdu
met financial reverses in the East, and
like themselves, had drifted to Oreton
in hopes of replenishing his empty
Golfers.
As time wore on his superior quail
ties generally and many amiable traits
won him the friendship and esteem of
the entire community. His appear
ance and bearing gained him the re-
spect of all. He was prosperous be-
yond his most sanguine expectations
and in a short time became the leading
spirit in all enterprises. His enthusi-
asm in matters pertaining to the well
fare of Oreton was unbounded, and
public honors were placed at his dis
posal. Every body had a good word
for James johnson.
Ten years works wonders. The little
mining camp of Oreton was now a
prosperous city. Large buildings had
been erected, and in place of the once
famous s.Nosepaint'' Hotel a substan-
tial four-story structure had been built
for the same purpose by James john
son, who was now looked upon and
recognized al the leading man of the
place.
Ten years had not entirely sufficed to
obliterate the scar upon his heart, and
the fact of his still being unmarried
proved his fidelity to his first love. But
this was soon to change-sooner than
he anticipated. Time is a great healer
of mental wounds, and he who had re-
solved never to wed unless it be to Har-
riet Lane, would shortly find himself
growing well and strong once more.
Oreton had become quite an objective
point for summer tourists, and even
though a half score years had passed,
Johnson occasionally saw people whom
he had known in his earlier life-when
he was Gerald Chambers. But no one
recognized him; his full beard was alone
sufficient to prevent this. The johnson
House-as the citizens insisted the new
hotel should be called-being the lead
ing hostelry of the city, was, of course.
frequented by the better class of
tourists.
Among the latter this summer were
two ladies, a Miss DeBar and her maid.
The former wore a deep black costume,
manifesting the fact that she had prob
ably sustained some serious family
affection, and her general appearance
indicated that she was in poor health.
Mr.. johnson at once felt a kindly inter-
est in the lady, and CLEANED from her
the fact of her fathers death; that she
had been i'll for some time, and that
her physician had advised her to make
a tour of the West.
As the time passed and the intimacy
between them became more marked, he
confessed to himself that he loved the
beautiful invalid. She gratefully ac-
cepted all the little kind offices which
he bestowed on her, and matters pro-
crossed favorably between them.
But all summers have an end, and
with the end of this one came a tempo
rary end to Johnson's cherished dreams.
Miss DeBar was very reticent in regard
to her family affairs, merely mention
ing that her father was dead and
that her home was in New York.
As we said before, all things
must come to a close, and when, there
fore, she announced that her depart
ure in a few days wa a necessity, he
grew unaccountably sad. He would
gladly have asked her to remain and
share his all, but he could not. A
strange, inward feeling advised him
otherwise, and so he followed the die
tates of his conscience and refrained
from mentioning that which would
have made him a happy
On the day of Miss DeBar's depart
ure he was, much to his regret, sud-
denly called away to a neighboring
city on business matters of great inn
portance. He was in hope of receiv-
ing an invitation to visit her, for dur
ing one of their drives he had in
formed her that he would be obliged
to return East the coming winter. He
was the president of two or three min
ing companies, and as the principal
| stockholders were Wall street opera
tors his presence would be compulsory.
Now that she was gone he was afraid
UltttU lO CllOulo hCdl hO 1uOI0 VI uCl. ~
When he returned to Oreton the hotel
clerk handed him a note written
in a delicate hand, and on the
seal was the impression OF
the letter III" He started as
if struck. Where had he seer that seal
beforep Ten years had passed, but ten
years more could not blot out that i'm
preston from his memory. He retired
at once to his room, for a note bearing
this seal was too holy to be read in the
presence of others. 1t read:
"OREToN, COLO, Sept. 1, 1886.
"Mr. James johnson:
"ESTEEMED SIR: Please do not think me
rude or unladylike for pursuing this course to
express to you my appreciation Of your many
fayors. I feel that I am indebted to you for the
beneficial results to my health, and would be
only too glad to reciprocate in any manner
within my means. I hope you will do me the
honor of paying me q visit while you are in New
York. Ny address is 143 F. avenue.
Sincerely, Miss H. DEBAR."
He read it over and over again.
There was a strange fascination about
the letter he could not resist. One
point seemed clear-the lady's initial
was s.H."-but the question arose in
his mind, where did she become pos
sessed of the scalp Was it possible
she had received it from Harriet
LaneP He remembered of Har-
riet telling him that it had been in the
family for years, and that her grand
mother had had it made in Paris. Had
he met a friend of Harriet's without
even asking of her whereaboutsl
Something seemed to tell him that
through Miss De Bar he should once
more find Harriet.
From one corner of his desk he pro-
duced a package of yellow letters over
which he had spent many hours when
his heart was heavy. Every one Of
them contained a seal, and on close
| nonanariSon IL haoama roru ouidanj